Harvard Catalyst Profiles

I lead the Genitourinary (GU) Medical Oncology Division at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and I am a clinician and translational scientist specialized in the management of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). My clinical expertise in this area guides my translational research, which involves understanding RCC tumor biology (including genetics and the tumor microenvironment) and investigating tissue- and blood-based biomarkers. My laboratory initially focused on interrogating genomic alterations as biomarkers for anti-angiogenic drug efficacy in advanced RCC. Using multi-OMICS approaches, our focus has expanded to deciphering mechanisms of response and resistance to systemic therapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and novel agents. We also are designing biomarker-based clinical trials to provide rationale systemic therapies in patients with renal cancers. I have contributed to the understanding of the underlying biology and rationale for therapies in rare RCC variants such as papillary and sarcomatoid renal cancers, in addition to my contributions to the three The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) working groups dedicated to kidney cancer. Finally, I have conceived, planned, and led several randomized clinical trials in metastatic and adjuvant RCC that lead to multiple FDA approvals. In any research project, I seek to assemble a team of scientists, clinicians, and statisticians at various career stages and from multiple disciplines, and emphasize critical thinking, teamwork, and mentorship to achieve our aims.

• Renal Cell Carcinoma
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted Therapy, Molecular
• Genitourinary Cancers
• Clinical Trials